Penny Thomas
Normally, when thinking about a city administrator from Missouri, you don’t rush to the thought of a band rocking it in Isesaki, Japan. But, then again, perhaps Mike MacPherson isn’t your typical city administrator.
Mike MacPherson, now retired, has been the City Administrator for Cabool, Nixa, and Mountain Grove. In addition, he was Manager of the Zoning and Development Office of the City of Springfield. Since 1980, Mike ‘s hobby of playing music allowed him to be an “uncivil servant.” That’s right, Mike’s band, The Uncivil Servants, was made up of public sector employees like him. It was this band that sent him to Isesaki, Japan, the City of Springfield’s sister city (from the 1999 Sister City Program) where he performed in concerts.
During Mike’s time as a musician, he and his bands have opened for the late Dan Seals, and T.Graham Brown, and have performed in concert with Steve Cropper, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, via Booker T. and the MG’s and the Blues Brothers bands. Mike has also recorded in legendary Sun Records in Memphis. He currently performs with Allen Brashears in the Traveling Troubadours, and he plays bass in Mike Mac & The Sidemen.
It’s pretty incredible to think that a musician of this caliber would serve communities in Missouri in the positions Mike has held. What is even more impressive is that Mike, in retirement, continues to serve these communities by bringing his passion for music to the forefront.
Mike has recently become certified with a national organization called Musicians On Call. Once a month he visits patient rooms and plays music and sings for individual patients at the participating member hospital, Cox Health Hospital in Springfield. He is accompanied by a hospital guide who asks each patient if they would like to hear a song. This volunteer service provides a lift to people who are sick and in despair. Mike states,
“It is personally rewarding for me and many patients tell me it was the highlight of their day, so I think there is a mutual win.”
In order to be certified, you have to complete an application with Musiciansoncall.org, submit a video or other representation of talent, pass a thorough background, drug, and immunization check, read a manual and pass a written test. Finally, you must agree and sign a contract to make 12 appearances, once a month for a year. Mike says,
“This volunteer effort is an important part of my musical career in retirement and the organization is fantastic.”
Mike MacPherson is another prime example of what LAGERS retirement looks like. Thank you Mike, and to ALL who continue to serve their communities in retirement.
